Even Vegans Die: A Practical Guide to Caregiving, Acceptance, and Protecting Your Legacy of Compassion

by Carol J. Adams, Patti Breitman, Ginny Messina

Even Vegans Die empowers vegans and their loved ones to make the best decisions regarding their own health, their advocacy for animals, and their legacy. By addressing issues of disease shaming and body shaming, the authors present a manifesto for building a more compassionate, diverse, and effective vegan community. Even Vegans Die celebrates the benefits of a plant-based diet while acknowledging that even vegans can get sick. You will learn how to make the health care decisions that are right for you, how to ensure your efforts to help animals will not end after you die, and how to provide compassionate care for yourself and for others in the face of serious illness. The book offers practical, thoughtful, and sensitive advice on creating a will, mourning, and caregiving. Without shying away from the reality of death, Even Vegans Die offers a message that remains uplifting and hopeful for all animal advocates, and all those who care about them.

Even people who eat a healthy, plant-based diet, can get seriously ill. That s why this book is needed. Carol, Patti, and Ginny teach us to live wisely while we are still here, not only by eating well, but also by caring for ourselves and each other. I want to live well and, if necessary, I want to die well, too. If you do also, then start reading. From the foreword by Michael Greger, MD

Genres: Vegan, Nonfiction, Health, Death, Food, Reference

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2017

About the author

Carol J. Adams is a feminist-vegetarian theorist and author of books on eco-feminism and the links between species oppression and gender oppression.

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan]

Full disclosure: One of the authors, an online friend since 2007 at Goodreads and elsewhere too, gave me a copy of the book. Also, I was interviewed as a participant for the book as it was being written.

I recommend this book for all vegans, especially those who have shamed others or been shamed for anything other than optimal health, all those who believe in end of life planning, all feminists, all disability activists, all caregivers and those who need the help of caregivers, all those who fear illness or death or want some guidance about how to deal with them regarding themselves or others. In other words, most people, though I’ll be actively recommending it mostly to vegans who either feel a vegan diet is a cure all or feel uncomfortable when they discover it isn’t and also to those who want a book that gives some useful tips on steps to take during end of life planning. I consider it a must read book for all vegans.

I will admit that I came to this book with feelings of excitement and high expectations, but it didn’t disappoint at all. It’s a superb book. It’s broader in scope/topic(s) than I’d anticipated and that makes the book even stronger than I thought it would be.

It’s an excellent addition to the genre, and for me maybe the best vegan book I’ve read in a long time, and that’s saying a lot since I’ve read dozens of great vegan books in recent years. This one is so timely and important though and is sorely needed.

The vegan movement needs this. And because of the topic, any reader can benefit, vegan or not. The authors are a wonderful team and they heavily utilized the wisdom and knowledge and experiences of many people. Engaging voices, friendly and non-judgmental, fun to read despite its sober subject, a perfect mix of issues and science/philosophy and personal stories. While it’s a mostly enjoyable read, the parts about mourning brought up painful feelings. Luckily they were presented in such a kind and helpful manner that I felt as supported as I did sad, and even if I was in acute grief I think I’d find comfort along with experiencing the painfulness of the subject.

So many in the vegan community act as though being a healthy vegan will keep them healthy forever, and fat shaming, disease shaming, etc. of other vegans is running rampant over at Facebook and in real life too. It's driven me crazy for years, even prior to the internet. I first noticed it in force and directed at me at a vegan convention 2 decades ago. Also this is an end of life, and caregiving, and dealing with disease, and showing compassion book for everyone, so really 90% of it is applicable to all readers. I’m sure I’ll be posting about it every time I think a vegan or a group of vegans need a reality check.

At times I wanted to cry it addressed these issues so well. That’s not to say I don’t think vegan eating is healthy because I do, but I’m an ethical vegan, 100% for the animals and also for the environment on top of that. I never went vegan for my health nor could I be a 100% vegan eater for my health. That said, I know what I’d be eating if I was still a lacto-ovo vegetarian or omnivore and I know I’d be much more unhealthy (maybe dead) if I hadn’t been eating vegan for so many years (decades.) I never expected my health or longevity would improve by eating vegan though, but it probably actually has helped, though I can’t know for sure, even though I’m not always a health food vegan. Still, I never make false promises about following a vegan diet, nor do I blame anyone who has health problems. As this book points out so well, there are usually multiple and often unknown reasons for developing many health problems, and everybody dies. We don’t have complete control over our health and no control over our mortality. Vegans who fat shame, disease shame, feel invincible don’t help the non-human animals or their fellow humans, and veganism doesn’t need hyperbole to make it a convincing choice. Veganism isn’t about human health anyway, at least for me it’s not. I know for some that vegan eating is about their health and that’s fine too, but no living being is indestructible no matter how well they live their lives.

I like how the authors stress the compassionate part of veganism and also the goal of being compassionate with those who are sick or dying, including being compassionate with ourselves.

I appreciate some of the big, thought provoking ideas brought up and some of the connections made about vegans & animals & health/mortality.

As far as the end of life planning sections, my mother died when I was 11 and death, including my own death, has been at the forefront of my mind since then. So I’ve already thought a lot about and done many of the suggestions that are given in this book. I’ve had a will since childhood and since my teens everyone who’s known me well knows what I want done and not done medically. Even so there is more I’d like to do and revise, and reading this has given me the motivation to update some of my paperwork. I believe it will be well worthwhile to get my affairs in even better order.

And I want to state that this book makes a very good guide for end of life planning, no matter what your age or state of health and whether vegan or not. Whether or not readers have given much thought about this issue, this book provides a gentle way to read about and think about it and take the actions that will ease the process.

The contents are a perfect ratio of philosophy and information and personal stories. What’s presented is scientifically sound, including being honest about what we don’t yet know about diet and health. These are pro-vegan authors so they do cover what is healthy or likely healthy about following a plant based diet.

Even though I’m a slow reader I did finish it in less than 48 hours. For many readers this will be a book they can read in one sitting.

This book is a book pusher. I added many books to my to read list that are mentioned in it.

What most thrilled me about this book is the takeaway of what I can do with my own vegan advocacy and support work, and I’m so glad I have this book to recommend to vegans who aren’t inclusive of others or who believe vegan eating is a magical cure all.

Contents outline:
Foreword
Introduction: Facing Your Own Mortality Can Enhance Your Life and Advocacy
Part 1: Vegan Health: The Myths and Realities
1. Even Vegans Get Sick…
2. How Shame and Blame Affect Our Health and Advocacy…
Part 2: Caregiving as Vegans
3. A Vegan Ethic of Care…
4. When Someone You Love is Seriously Ill or Dying…
Part 3: A Vegan’s Guide to Death and Dying
5. When You Have a Terminal Illness…
6. Mourning…
7. Protecting Your Legacy of Kindness: Wills, Trusts, and Other Legal Protections…
8. Last Words, Organ Donations, and Resting Places…
Afterword: A Vegan Understanding of Death – We Are Animals Who Will Die
Acknowledgements
Sources and Further Reading
Index
About the Authors
About the Publisher

And as someone who’s struggled with weight issues I love this quote the authors provide and think that it’s a good guideline re weight: “The Canadian Obesity Network defines your “best weight” as whatever weight you achieve while living the healthiest lifestyle you can truly enjoy.” (page30)

[Dr. Breeze Harper]

Overall, a fantastic and first of its kind to address the many myths and false promises of a vegan diet.... but from pro vegan authors who are well known in their fields. They call out the ableism, illness shaming, the fat shaming, and denial of death that thousands of vegans proselytize.
I love how they write things that address how of course Christine Brinkley look "good"--- but it is not because of a vegan diet. They note that it is because she is wealthy as hell and can afford the money it takes to look that way. Fitness instructor, personal chefs, etc
They also lay out how to treat vegans who are ill or even dying. They suggest supporting them and to not shame them. They ask readers to make sure they face death (their own) and get their legal affairs in check before they die. Also, great to tell the reader that when or if someone says they are ill, not to respond with, "Well have you tried [type in vegan based remedy]?" This is the best way to sound non supportive and judgmental to someone who is already suffering and overwhelmed due to illness or injury.
I would have appreciated more critical reflections on race , whiteness and the issues brought to light and how the authors own racial and class privileges affect their engagement with the myths of veganism. I also wanted to know who the assumed audience of vegans are ... but authors can't do everything and I understand this. They started the conversation with action plans and now it is up to the rest of those reading it to integrate it into their lives.
Overall, great read ...

[Martin Rowe]

I'm the publisher of this book, and I thought I'd make a few observations. This book is something of a personal project for me, given the deaths of a couple of vegan acquaintances in the last few years who had not prepared psychologically or legally for their passing, with the result that their final legacy was compromised. Carol, Ginny, and Patti did a fantastic job not only in making sure that we vegans—who may think our diet provides us with immortality—know how to get our estates in order but also in reminding us that caregiving requires attentiveness, gentleness, and honesty, without shaming people (or us) for getting sick. The result is a compassionate and comprehensive guide for anyone who is looking after someone who is sick or dying, or who'll need to deal with their own mortality. I learned a lot, and I think you will, too.

[Ireene]

Important book that all vegans should read. Most vegans think about death when we talk about animals who are killed for human desires. But most of us don't want to think about our own inevitable death. Sometimes we create this illusion that plant based diets protect us from all the illnesses but the reality is that even vegans can get ill and die prematurely. "Even Vegans Die" helps vegans to think about these issues, and offers lots of practical advise. This is much needed and much appreciated book.

[Sara]

Super quick and interesting read!
I think it’s a valuable source for all vegans (and even non-vegans). It makes you think about health and health- and body-shaming.
Not every vegan is an example of health, and even if you are it can be just temporary. We can all get sick and we should all take this into consideration.
The book also talks about an ethic of care, which is so important, even in everyday life.
The part about death, will, etc. is also interesting, but some topics are specific for the US (if you’re in Europe like me, or elsewhere in the world, you have to look up some stuff yourself).

[Corvus]

Even Vegans Die is a short and excellent read that many people- not only vegans- can benefit from. The book is part critique of many mainstream vegan movements' ableism and body shaming, part analysis of many humans' fears of and evasion of (inevitable) death, and part self-help book for vegans and others seeking to care for their loved ones and prepare for their own death. It is carefully written and centers kindness in its delivery.

I am a vegan with multiple chronic health conditions who is on disability as a result despite being vegan for 11 years and only being in my 30s. I also have been "overweight" or "obese" according to the BMI most of my life- including when I biked at least 8 miles a day in a hilly city. I felt comforted while reading this book. Knowing it exists helps me to feel hopeful that some vegan and animal liberation movements will expand their scope to include those of us who show that- while veganism can be a very healthy diet- it is not a cure-all, nor will it stop us from ever dying. The book tackles the conflicts vegans face from both people who consume/wear/exploit other animals and vegans who do their best not to- as members of both groups sometimes attempt to place blame on the sick/disabled/fat/etc vegan for their current health while ignoring the vast amount of environmental and genetic factors that are also at play. It calls attention to just how many vegans can be isolated from vegan movements and the rest of the world due to these kinds of ableist and body shaming problems.

I also very much appreciated the parts of the book that offered guidelines for caring for others when they are sick, how to help others care for us, how to facilitate healthy grieving, and how to help us prepare for our own deaths so those left behind are less burdened. The simple lists in many of the sections- especially on caring for others- were very helpful to me. I have had an advance directive and living will set up for years and this book offered a few things that I am going to add to make them more efficient.

This book is a short read with an excellent amount of information. I hope people will take advantage of this chance to make both vegan movements and their day to day lives safer spaces for people in all stages of life and death.

[Laura JC]

A catchy main title, a perfectly descriptive subtitle and a small book full of good advice. As other reviewers have noted, this book can serve as a guide to anyone, not just vegans. It does elaborate on vegan-specific topics, but it also covers generic subjects such as failing physical or mental health, disease shaming, compassion, leaving a legacy, mourning, burial options and the various documents we all should prepare in advance. A very helpful guide.

[Joel]

Uncomfortable but I'm glad to have read it. Although it's brief and businesslike, still the talk about companion animals mourning made me tear up. This will be a great resource to have on hand on that hopefully distant day when I or my partner need to confront serious illness or death.

[Kim Stallwood]

Recommended as a primer to knowing what to do about making difficult decisions about life and death.

[Maggie Mayhem]

This book accomplishes so much in a very approachable manner. It combats the idea that being vegan is equivalent to good health, as well as healthism itself and reminds the reader that veganism is a commitment to ethics around our use of animals. It talks about compassion and how to be supportive of someone struggling with illness and dying. It covers a lot of ground on how to be there for caregivers. This book is both practical and philosophical making it a surprisingly easy read for the subject matter.

[Joan]

I especially liked the first part of this book and puts vegan diets in perspective. As a vegetarian, most of the time vegan, I especially appreciated the perspective of not having be perfect in your vegan living. Embracing even partial vegan living as honoring life in all forms and doing your part even if not perfect. I think the end could have been tightened up a little, TMI.

[Michael]

First half: stating the obvious to anyone who has read some of the science and is aware that risk is a statistical measure.
Second half: dealing with death.

The first half seems to be addressed to people with strong beliefs following a YouTube hype. The second half has absolutely nothing to do with eating plants and there's most certainly better books written by psychologists.

[2ndverse]

Excellent

An excellent resource for vegans with considerations for chronic illness, care-giving, and preparing for death in a responsible manner and as a means of continuing one's compassion and care afterwards.

[Shel]

Thoughtful advice and insight on end of life issues from a vegan perspective.

[Jess H]

A deeply refreshing body and death positive vegan book. This was exactly what I needed. A lot of vegan or vegan adjacent books are very beginner focused and this feels like its written for people who have definitely dipped their toes in already and kinda smacks you down (productively) for thinking that your diet and lifestyle will save you forever.

[Sabrina Nyuki]

What an important book about the topic of death. What should vegans consider for their end of life regarding the burial, their animals, their human loved ones. Made me directly want to make an appointment with lawyers and funeral homes. Great reading!

[Andrianna]

Not as much helpful information as I'd hoped, but still a decent read for thoughtful vegans/animal activists.

[Devin]

This succinct and compassionate book offers a vegan perspective on death and illness. Caring for humanity is just as important as caring for non-humans. This is exactly the sort of discussion vegans need to have.